Archive for the ‘Automotive’ Category
Tuesday, October 21st, 2008
We had a pretty fun night last night.
Initially, we planned to make a quick trip up to Bob’s Discount Furniture in Manchester. We need a whole lot of furniture. We need to furnish the entire bedroom, dining room, living room, my office and some odds and ends elsewhere. Needless to say, this is going to be tough.
If there is one thing in life I am cheap about, it’s furniture. I have no idea why. Perhaps because it’s not screaming “necessity” out at me. I mean, what’s wrong with sitting on an up side down bucket? Ahh, history. It’s not in my nature to go spend thousands of dollars on something that is just going to sit there. It’s not like a couch is going to help mow the lawn or a coffee table is going to clean the gutters. Geez, furniture is one of those things that looks good, but doesn’t do too much else. I need some sort of purpose with the stuff I buy.
Regardless, it needs to be done.
We drove up to Manchester to visit Bob’s. This is one of their larger stores with a whole “used” and “damaged” area in the back. There is furniture galore back there. It has dings, dents, cracks and anything else you can think of. The place is huge. The whole front area is reserved for the brand new furniture.
We walked in and were presented with a nice bedroom set. I liked it, Laura kind of liked it. As we walked on, we saw some things that she liked and some that I liked, and vice-versa. I am not sure we were in agreement, but we probably could have been if we stayed longer.
As we walked around, I noticed a candy station. I walked over to it and started eating the caramel chews. I don’t know what was wrong with me. I put some in my mouth and then shoved some in my pocket. I then took some other candy and stuck it in my pocket. I am not sure who was controlling me, because I certainly don’t eat candy like an idiot (which I was at the moment). Laura was looking at me in disgust. She had a look on her face like, “Give me the keys, you are being abandoned.”
Upon discussion, we decided that we would leave Bob’s. Nothing really jumped out at me. I mean, it’s a great place for couches and stuff, so we’ll go back for that. We’ll get a few couches and maybe a Bob-O-Pedic matress set.
We got back in the car and decided to head over to Raymour and Flanigan furniture. I have always heard good things about this store. We were nearby, so there wasn’t much deciding to do…the only factor was that we were now in the middle of rush hour and I hate cars. Whatever.
We walked in Raymour and Flanigan and were greeted by a nice sales lady. It kind of reminded me of a used car lot. I still had caramel chews in my mouth, so I couldn’t really talk. She started laughing at my grossness. When I was ready, I asked if their furniture was solid hardwood. She replied that it was, but there were a few pieces in the back that we should steer clear of. OK, fine. That’s fair.
We started walking around and I began noticing a strange trend…this furniture was obviously made by the same makers of Bob’s furniture. We saw many similarities, one not being the price. It seemed that they tacked on a few thousand dollars and upped the quality slightly, but it appeared that whoever made Bob’s furniture made this as well. I may be wrong, but that’s the way it looked.
You should have seen me, I was under the tables trying to see if they were made of real wood, pulling out drawers to see what kind of runners were used, wiggling things back and forth, checking the quality. Things were just OK. If I had to choose between the two, I would head back to Bob’s and save some money. I think both places offered similar furniture that would last about the same amount of time. This, of course, is my very uninformed opinion.
Laura and I looked at each other and decided to wash our hands of both places. We knew of one place that really makes us drool…Pottery Barn up at Evergreen Walk. Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ bout.
We walked in and picked out a bedroom set. Yup, it was that easy. It’s the Hudson Collection that can be seen here. We already knew the quality of furniture that Pottery Barn sells and really didn’t need to inspect it. Every time we go in this place, we look at the stuff, so it was really easy. The only problem is that the Pottery Barn furniture prices are in a whole different realm than the other two places.
OK, moving on. The end of the year is coming and I need office furniture. We walked to the back of the store and I picked out a nice little item called the “Rhys Console Table.” This is a perfect little place to put my fax machine and printer. Also, I can use the drawers for random things that are currently sitting on the floor.
Rhys Console Table
Then, we looked through the catalog and found a nice desk called the “Aris Large Desk.” I have had my eye on this for some time. We bought the console table and are having it delivered. I had to wait to order the desk online, because that’s an internet only item. I did that last night. They are going to deliver that in a few weeks.
Now, all I need is maybe some sort of shelving unit and a chair. That’s it for the office.
We were pooped from furniture shopping, so we left.
I have been meaning to stop by L.L.Bean to grab some more waffle shirts. I have two that everyone already makes fun of. One of them is salmon colored and has a picture of a salmon on it. Since I am a trendsetter, I ignore this fun poked in my direction.
As we were walking to the car, I asked Laura if she wanted to go to L.L.Bean for a few minutes. I mean, it was right in front of us. What the heck, we went to the store.
Hey, wouldn’t you know it, they didn’t have any waffle shirts. What they did have is some awesome “Corduroys”, some really cool “Two-Layer River Driver’s Shirts” and a really marvelous “Merino Wool Sherpa Sweater” that I have been looking to buy for about 10 years now. Oh yeah, I also picked up this amazing black “Fitness Fleece Jacket” that was calling my name too. Don’t you like my use of attributive adjectives?
Boy, what a night. At least I learned a lesson from all this…which is…I need an SUV. I am sick of paying for shipping.
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Friday, October 17th, 2008
In Downturn, Solar Industry Sees Bright Days Ahead
People in the solar industry are hopeful that the sun is a good place to put money these days. To be sure, the financial crunch is rippling through even the fast-growing solar business: With falling house prices and general belt-tightening, consumers may be more reluctant to purchase solar panels.
The New Prius Looks Like the Old Prius
Toyota confirms photos making the rounds of the interwebz are are indeed shots of the 2010 Prius that no one was supposed to see until the Detroit auto show in January.
New Solar Hybrid Panels Will Boost Efficiency and Power
The new hybrid material – an electrically conductive plastic combined with metals including molybdenum and titanium – is the first that is sensitive to all the colours in the rainbow, allowing it to absorb all the energy contained in visible light at once.
Special Report: How Our Economy Is Killing The Earth
Most of us accept the need for a more sustainable way to live, by reducing carbon emissions, developing renewable technology and increasing energy efficiency. But are these efforts to save the planet doomed?
Could Solar Power Satellites Beam Down Gigawatts of Energy?
How pie-in-the-sky is Ben Bova’s space satellite scheme? Mr. Bova, the president emeritus of the National Space Society and a prolific science fiction author, calling on the next president to build an armada of solar power satellites (SPS) — basically large accumulations of solar cells — to help meet a substantial chunk of our energy needs.
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Sunday, October 12th, 2008
European Union Bans Incandescent Light Bulbs
The switch to energy-saving bulbs was approved by EU ministers this past week. Advocates claim that replacing the worst-performing lamps with today’s best available technology will reduce domestic energy consumption for lighting by 60 percent; equivalent to preventing 30 million tons of CO2 pollution every year.
Is Cheaper Oil A Good Thing?
It has plummeted nearly 40% in just three months, from about $147 a barrel in July to below $83 on Friday, with no obvious bottom in sight. If that sounds good, you are probably a driver who winces these days at filling your gas tank. But the downward spiral could mean trouble for oil-rich countries and for the environment.
2010 Toyota Prius Adds Muscle at Expense of Fuel Efficiency
A Toyota spokesperson said the changes were to increase the vehicle’s mass-market appeal, but with the changing economy and increased concern for the environment, it remains to be seen whether top speed will be among buyers’ concerns.
Introducing the World’s Largest Solar Powered Winery
The largest solar installation of any winery in the world is set to be built for Constellation Wines’ Gonzalez winery in Monterrey County, CA by Pacific Power Management.
Exposing the Bi-Partisan Myth of Clean Coal
There’s at least one topic the candidates in the US elections won’t be wrangling over: so-called “clean†coal. That’s because they all support it.
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Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
Jay G writes for a wide selection of websites on various topics. He is a veteran of the internet and has come to be respected in his many areas of expertise. This article was written on behalf of AutoLeeg, a popular car classifieds website.
Buying a Used Car Online
There are a couple of major benefits to buying a used car online. You do not have to spend hours going from one dealership to another. Even better, you will not have to deal with overly pushy salespeople attempting to sell you more than you can logically afford. You can always look through your local newspaper’s online automotive classified website.
Tip #1 – Before Buying a Used Auto
Before buying a used car online, learn everything you can about what it should and could include. Learn about both standard and optional automotive equipment and the fair market value for the used car. Also, consider your budget. Knowing how much you have available before you start looking will help narrow down your choices. You will also be less tempted by an unaffordable auto.
Examine exactly why you want to buy a used car. The way you will use it can have a big impact on what type of auto you purchase. If you need an automotive for family outings or carpooling, a 2-seater sports car will not work.
Tip #2 – Questions to Ask Auto Seller
Ask the seller the following questions before buying an automotive online:
* Why are they selling the car? Beware if their reason seems unreasonable.
* Do you have service records? Having the service records will let you know what required services have and have not been completed. This will help you determine possible costs after you have purchased the auto.
* Is the title in the seller’s name? It can be difficult and time consuming to get the title changed from a previous owner. Another possibility is that you or the seller may be unable to locate the previous owner
* Are there any liens attached?
* Can I have an independent mechanic physically inspect the used car?
* Can I test drive the used car before buying it?
Tip #3 – Pictures of the Used Auto
Whenever possible, check out the used car in person. Otherwise, ask for pictures of the vehicle from every angle possible (inside and out), including the engine. Although not a sure-fire way to verify if the seller is being completely honest, this can help you to avoid some surprises. Even with pictures, you still need to be careful. Read over the original description of the used car and verify that it matches the one in the photo.
Tip #4 – CarFax Automotive Report
Ask the seller for the vehicle identification number, which you will need to run a CarFax report. This is a necessary step to protect you from fraud. A CarFax report will show you most major completed repairs and whether the car has been involved in an accident. If the report shows the vehicle has been in a bad accident, but the seller says the car is in tip-top shape, consider buying a different vehicle.
Tip #5 – Automotive Pricing
Before shelling out money or agreeing to a sales price, visit the Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds website to find the fair market value of the auto. Do this after you have seen pictures of the car so that you can be accurate about the car’s condition. Keep in mind that the sales price listed online probably does not include sales tax, registration, financing fees, or licensing and title fees.
Tip #6 – Where to Buy a Used Auto
You have several options regarding where to buy a used car online. Try looking through online automotive classified ads or on dealer websites. Another possibility is visiting online auto auction sites. Whichever way you choose, always follow the previously provided tips before making a purchase.
For many reasons, buying a car online can be much trickier than buying one in person. This is especially true when you decide to buy a non-local car, as you normally will not be able to see the car in person before you get it. Following the tips above can do away with many of the pitfalls.
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Thursday, September 25th, 2008
Jay G writes for a wide selection of websites on various topics. He is a veteran of the internet and has come to be respected in his many areas of expertise. This article was written on behalf of AutoLeeg, a popular used cars for sale website.
Buying And Selling Cars with Ease
Whether you are buying a car or selling one, you know how frustrating it can be. You need to find a buyer or a car quickly, but there are so many marketing options available. Which ones are the most effective? How can you be sure you are getting a good deal or selling your car for what it is truly worth?
Choosing the Right Car
For those who are buying cars, the first step in finding the right car is to decide the type of vehicle you want. You can spend hours scouring resources full of used cars for sale, but if you do not know what you want or need, you are going to struggle to find the right vehicle. First, make sure that you find a vehicle with enough space for your regular passengers. This does not just mean enough seats. Many of the vehicles with three rows of seats have very little legroom in the rear, so if you are transporting adults on a regular basis, your passengers will not fit, even though there is a seat for them.
Next, consider the amount of trunk or storage space you need. Will you be using the vehicle for vacations, or just for driving to and from work? Also, make sure you consider the gas mileage on the vehicle. With the ever increasing cost of gas, you need a vehicle that is as fuel efficient as possible.
Once you have an idea in mind as to the type of vehicle you want to buy, consider visiting an automotive dealership that has used cars for sale and test driving a few. This will give you a chance to check out the actual space inside the vehicle, get a feel for the engine, and see how comfortable the controls feel. Narrow down your search after visiting the dealership before you begin searching auto classifieds for a vehicle. However, be sure that you do not buy on this first visit. Car dealers can be pushy and make you feel like the deal they are offering is the best possible deal you will find, so you need to be tough to avoid this pressure. You will want to take time to search on your own for the truly best deal.
Sources for Used Cars
You can find the right car through a dealership, by shopping online, or through a private seller. The route you take depends on your preferences and the asking price of the vehicle. You can find cars for sale from private parties, in newspaper and magazine classifieds or by shopping online. Most people find that the Internet allows them to comparison shop and get a better price on the car they want to buy. Shopping online also helps buyers see a larger selection of autos, since they are limited to the inventory on hand when shopping at a dealership. Most dealerships also register with online classifieds, making the Internet the most convenient place to begin when buying a used car. There are many online automotive classifieds that are great tools to use when shopping for a used vehicle.
Financing Your Purchase
You can finance your purchase through a lender whether you purchase from a private party or a dealership. The best way to ensure that you get the car you really want is to get pre-approved for financing before you begin actively shopping. This will, of course, require that you have a car in mind so that you know the approximate amount of money that you need. Once you have chosen a vehicle and know the price, approach a lender and apply for a car loan. Once you are approved, you will be given a pre-approval notice that you can show a seller if you are ready to make a purchase. If other buyers who do not have pre-approval are interested in the vehicle, the seller will be more likely to choose you because you have the money ready to go.
How to Determine a Car’s Value
Whether you are buying or selling cars, you need a way to determine the value of the vehicle. You can use many tools to help you set determine the value of a particular vehicle. One way to do this is to look in automotive classifieds to see what the asking price of similar vehicles is. Of course, you have no way of knowing based on classifieds alone whether or not the price a particular seller is asking is too high, but this can give you a general feel for the current market.
One tool you will want to use when determining the value of a vehicle is Kelley Blue Book. This guide, which is available online, allows you to see the average listing or selling price of a vehicle that is the same make, model, year, and condition as the vehicle you are either buying or selling. Keep in mind that Kelley Blue Book is a national guide, so the fair price in your location may be slightly lower or higher than the Blue Book value. The bottom line about the value of a car is that it is worth what the buyers in the market are willing to pay. If you are selling a car and have it priced just below Blue Book value, yet no one is willing to pay that, you have the car priced too high for your market.
How to Advertise a Used Car for Sale
Sellers have basically three options to use to advertise their cars. The first is to place a sign in the window and drive the car around town or park it in a visible location. The second option is to advertise in paper classifieds, such as automotive publications or the local newspaper. This can be an effective way to sell a vehicle, but it can also be quite pricey. The third option is the use online classifieds.
Sellers can benefit greatly from using the Internet to help them sell their cars. Just as shopping online provides the buyer with more cars to choose from, selling online provides a wider customer base. There are many free and low cost automotive classifieds websites that advertise used cars for sale. This makes the marketing simple, as the owners of the classifieds sites will promote their sites and draw in the buyers. All the buyer has to do is set the price, submit the information, and then sit back and wait for the vehicle to sell.
Finalizing the Sale
Whether you are a buyer or a seller, finalizing the sale of a used car is basically the same. Once the buyer and seller have agreed to a selling price, the buyer will present the money, usually in the form of a check, to the seller. The seller will then sign the title over to the buyer. At this point, the vehicle is considered sold, and the buyer can drive away in his new vehicle.
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Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008
I was on the way back from Home Depot this afternoon, when I approached some commotion. As I pulled up a little further, I noticed a motorcycle on the side of the road, kind of crumpled up. It was laying on its side.
On the other side of the road, I saw a few people sitting next to a bald guy talking to him. He seemed to be wearing motorcycle riding clothing. I came to the conclusion that either he hit a car or a car hit him. There was a gas station right in the middle of the scene. I am just glad he was ok.
What strikes me as odd about the state of Connecticut is that there is no motorcycle helmet law. From what I have observed so far, about 1% of riders here actually wear helmets.
The law here states that if you are a motorcyclist, 17 years old or younger, you have to wear a helmet. If you are bicyclist, 15 years old or younger, you have to wear a helmet. I guess they put the lives of older individuals in their own hands. I suppose that’s ok.
The whole thing is weird because in New York, the law pretty much states you have to wrap yourself in bubble wrap every time you leave your house, no matter what you are doing. Seeing people fly by on the highway at 80mph with just sunglasses on is a little unnerving.
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Monday, September 15th, 2008
This article was written by Jay G on behalf of CycleClassifieds.US, a popular motorcycle classifieds website.
The Thrill of Motorcycling – 5 Ways to Get into Riding
Motorcycling is cool. Motorcycling is fast. Motorcycling gives you a rush. There is no doubt about it. I don’t think anyone can dispute the fact that there is a certain breed of person out there that just loves the feeling of being out in the fresh air, cruising down the highway. I suspect there are a lot more people who would like to ride than we know about. The question is, how do they get going?
It’s like a lot of things; take it one step at a time. Later on, I will give my 5 top ways to get into riding, but first, I am going to tell you about my own experience learning to love motorcycles.
I would say I was about 14 years old when I purchased my friend’s tiny Honda Z50R. It was very small, but very fun. I used to ride it around the block and travel to friend’s houses on it. I grew out of that bike fast, but I did learn a few things; how to balance and corner a motorcycle.
My next few motorcycles were all dirt bikes. They were a Suzuki RM80, Honda CR125 and a Suzuki RM125. These were bigger machines and worthwhile investments. They taught me how to ride taller motorcycles and how to ride on a dirt track.
There were many other smaller learning experiences that went along with owning and riding dirt bikes. Those came with time. Some of them included learning where the best dealerships were located, how to repair and maintain a motorcycle, how to purchase the right parts and where the best places to ride were. It was a lot of fun and I wouldn’t give up those experiences for anything.
When I turned 17 years old, I purchased my first street bike. It was a Suzuki GR 650 Tempter. This was a big change for me, because I had never ridden a street motorcycle before. I have to say, it was a great learning bike. There was enough power, but not too much to do anything stupid or get in any trouble. The bike was smooth and just enough to get my feet wet on the streets.
There were a few years during college where I didn’t own a motorcycle, but knew I would soon. After college, I went ahead and bought the bike I own today, a Suzuki GSXR 1100. This is one serious motorcycle, and yes, one I could easily get in trouble on. Sometimes I get shaken by its unexpected power. I would only recommend this type of motorcycle to the most mature and experienced rider.
I love my current motorcycle, but will admit that it does get on my nerves at times. I sometimes wish I owned a laid back highway cruiser. Now that I am getting older, I don’t enjoy hunching over the gas tank as much as I used to. Style is not as important to me anymore and comfort is becoming more. Also, having a larger seat for a passenger is becoming a necessity. No passenger likes riding so high up and having to hold on for dear life.
With all the experience I have gained on a wide variety of motorcycles through the years, I feel that I am in a position to offer to some great tips on how to get into riding.
1.Visit a dealership. Yes, it seems so simple, but a huge hurdle to get past is deciding if you really can feel it in your blood. If you are like me, you will leave the dealership panting like a fool. If you leave still undecided, motorcycling might not be right for you.
2.Talk to people. If you have ever heard a group of riders talk about a trip they have taken or are about to take, chime in. Ask them questions and notice how easily they will include you in the ride. Some of them might even offer to take you as a passenger. The community is friendly and always welcoming to new riders.
3.Think about costs. Motorcycling can be an expensive hobby if you are just getting by already. You need to be ready for the financial side of things. You can expect the cost of the motorcycle, insurance, registration, maintenance, apparel and the cost of fuel. It’s easy to get sucked in to buying every after market part available for your motorcycle, so be sure you can afford the hobby first.
4.Go for a ride. Try to find someone who owns a motorcycle and ask them if you can hop on the back during their next ride. Try to find someone with a larger motorcycle for this, especially if you are larger yourself. You’ll know if motorcycling is the right thing to do once the wind hits your face.
5.Take a training course. I am one of those types of people who just want to get a bike and hop on, but friends of mine have told me how important a training course really is. They thought they knew all there was to know about motorcycling, but each day they came away with new knowledge. It’s important to learn how to ride properly.
After considering and completing the tips above, you should be in a position to purchase your first motorcycle. Look through the motorcycle classifieds or visit your local dealer. Find the right motorcycle for you and make the purchase. Since you made some riding contacts and are somewhat familiar with motorcycling in general, you should be in good shape. Just remember, safety comes first and when it comes to riding, patience is a virtue.
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Monday, September 15th, 2008
This article was written by Jay G on behalf of MotoClassifieds.US, a popular auto classifieds website.
Is selling a car privately a hassle? Not anymore. We already know about the popularity of classifieds sections in newspapers and magazines, but with the advent of websites devoted completely to online auto classifieds, things have gotten much easier. Gone are the days of having to wait until Monday morning to catch a customer service representative on the phone to place your ad.
Auto Classifieds – What are the Benefits? Do They Work?
That’s a pretty good question. For as long as I have been alive (and that’s 34 years), I have seen “Used Car For Sale†ads at every corner. These days, it’s one of the most popular online classified genres, not to mention being very popular with newspapers, magazines, radio and television.
Let me start this off with a short story. I had an “auto related†experience a few months ago.
In early January of this year, I was in the market for a new car. Since I have driven a Honda Accord as my two previous cars and a Honda Prelude as the one before that, I pretty much knew what I was going to buy. I dabbled with the thought of getting a BMW 5 Series, but I wasn’t ready for something so expensive. Maybe I’ll get the Beamer next time.
On January 3, I visited my local Honda dealer and was quite ready to drive home in something new. That day, I drove on the lot in a 1998 Honda Accord V6 and was planning on driving off the lot in a 2008 Honda Accord V6. Obviously, I was going to trade my car in. Before my trip to the dealer, I looked up the value of my 1998 Accord on KBB. They valued the car at around $3,500. I was slightly shocked, because I thought the car was worth more than that. I mean, this was my baby. This was the car I had taken such good care of over the years. But, if that is what the car was valued at, who was I to argue?
Upon choosing the make and model of the Accord I wanted to purchase, I entered negotiations with the salesperson. I was told that the dealership would give me $1,500 to trade in my 1998 Accord. As you could imagine, I got red in the face and threatened to walk out. They raised the price to $2,000, but I still argued for a bit. After a while, I realized they weren’t going to budge from that price, so I caved. Sound familiar? Has something like this ever happened to you?
Now, can you guess what everyone said to me after I told them of my experience? I’m sure you can. They said, “You know, you could’ve gotten a heck of a lot more money for your car if you had sold it yourself.†Gee, really? Of course I could’ve. I mean, everyone knows that dealers don’t give you as much as the car is worth. Why is that? It’s because of all the costs associated with prepping a car to sell on their lot. If it’s an older car, they can’t even sell it and it goes to auction. To be honest, I am not even sure what the dealerships do with some of the cars they take as trade-ins. I have heard stories about people getting $1 for the car they gave to the dealer.
So, I’ll admit that I could’ve made more money if I had sold my car privately. The question is why I, and so many others, lose money to trade their cars in. The answer to that question probably has something to do with convenience. We don’t want to deal with the hassle of a private sale.
Is selling a car privately a hassle? Not anymore. As I stated above, we already know about the popularity of classifieds sections in newspapers and magazines, but with the advent of websites devoted completely to online auto classifieds, things have gotten much easier. Gone are the days of having to wait until Monday morning to catch a customer service representative on the phone to place your ad. You can now access an auto classifieds website any time you want, from the comfort of your own home. You can write a description, upload a photo, add any features you want and pay by credit card within a matter of minutes. Some websites even offer the entire service for free. Either way, your ad will be live when you are finished. It will also be accessible to anyone from anywhere.
Now that we have that cleared up, let’s go over some of the benefits of selling your used car online:
- Convenience. Auto classified websites offer “any time, any place†type of convenience.
- Reach. By place your car ads online, you will virtually be reaching buyers across the globe. Too many people? Don’t worry; these websites have tools to narrow down a potential buyer’s search.
- Account management. You can place, edit and delete your ad any time you wish with your own private account management tool.
- Popularity. These days, more and more buyers are turning to the web to search for their new rides. Many of them don’t even (and never have) read the newspaper.
- Multiple ads. Many auto classifieds websites allow sellers to place multiple ads, oftentimes for a discounted price, or for even no cost at all.
- Help. Many websites have online tutorials or help pages that assist you in selling your car.
- Multiple venues. When you advertise your car on one classified website, oftentimes your ad will show on related websites as well. It’s these “viral†relationships that get much more exposure for your ad.
As you can see, there are many benefits to placing your used car for sale online. Do the online ads work? Well, that first depends on the ad itself. If you write a strong description, show a good photo and offer a fair price, I wouldn’t see why not. If everything is lined up, I would think you would have a successful sale within a matter of days or weeks.
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Sunday, July 13th, 2008
Well, it’s gone. The guy came over this morning and loaded it up on a trailer and took it away.
I have to admit that I feel a little bit of cool draining from my body. It’s not too bad though, because I do have a plan. I’ll tell you about that later.
Here is a little history…I placed an ad to sell my motorcycle (1993 GSXR 1100) on three of my own websites. I knew these websites would come in handy. I got a lot of great response. I had the bike listed for $2,375, the bluebook value of the bike. Then, I changed my mind. I took the bike out of the garage and shined it up a little bit. Then, I cruised over to the local DMV to get the lowdown on registration. All I needed to do was to drive the bike over there and get it done. Easy enough.
When I got home, I went for a little ride down the road. Everything ran great, so I parked it in the garage. The next morning, the house stunk of gasoline, so I went down to the garage and noticed gas dripping out of the exhaust pipe connection. Since I am an expert mechanic, I knew the issue was a sticky float in one of the carburetors. Really, it’s not a difficult issue to deal with, if I was the kind of person who dealt with that kind of stuff.
My father told me that all I had to do was to get some good gas in there and go for a long ride. I knew this was true, but I have had my eye on a nice fuel injected motorcycle for some time. I edited my listings online and brought the price down to $750 for a quick sale. Within hours, I had responses to the ads. I also didn’t want to start the bike up because the exhaust had gasoline in it. If I started it up, either flames would shoot out of the exhaust or I would blow up, along with the motorcycle. Not my cup of tea.
The funny thing about the story is that the guy who emailed about the motorcycle is from the same town as us. He had to drive about six minutes to get here. He gave it a once over and then took it home where he is going to either just get it going or tear it down to clean the carburetors. Either way, he got a great bike at a great price.
Now, for my plan…check this out…oh, I’ll just wait until I get it.
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Monday, June 16th, 2008
Seven Ways to Save Energy by Saving Water
Though many states and localities are waking up to their water shortages and taking steps to plan for “peak waterâ€, people generally continue to waste water and to ignore the energy-water link.
New Material Absorbs Light Completely And Generates Electric
A partnership between Duke University and Boston College turned out to be very beneficial for the science world, as they obtained a metamaterial that absorbs all the light it gets (yes, it becomes invisible) and that is supposed to generate energy more efficiently than the solar cells.
Civic Outsells F-150 for First Time Ever
Go little Civic, go!
How To Heat Up Solar
It seems incredible then that the U.S. Senate has again failed to pass a bill that would extend solar tax credits to build new power plants.
Prius is Now the Most Searched New Car on Cars.com
Cars.com has announced that for the first time ever, the Toyota Prius has become the most searched for new vehicle on the popular vehicle classifieds site — surpassing long time favorites such as the Accord and Camry. The Prius first appeared in the top 10 most searched vehicles list last summer.
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